poke weed and poke berries

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I had one growing in my garden last year, and the chickens never touch it. I assume that means they don't really care for it much, as they shredded pretty much everything else.

This article says all parts are toxic, so I wouldn't go out of the way to feed it. They'll probably leave it alone given the choice.

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=270
 
It is toxic and most likely your birds won't touch it.

It can be eaten if cooked and cleaned thoroughly. Dad loves poke. Mom and I can't stand the smell.

Matt

Forgot to add: Wild Birds eat the berries and leave those purple poops everywhere.
 
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Ahhh... I'm a poke sallet addict! I crave it!

if the birds won't touch it, I'd pull it up and outta there!
smile.png
 
My birds also ignored it. I think they tried it and then left it alone after the first bite.
Sometimes the Leghorns would get berry stains on their feathers from dustbathing near the plants, but that didn't seem to hurt anything.
 
Poke is a common weed over a large part of the U.S. I've never noticed any animals eating it unless they were starving. The exception are the ripe berries. Those wild birds will often eat and chickens as well sometimes. They don't seem to cause any harm.

.....Alan.
 
As I understand from several herbalist sources, the seed in the berries is very toxic to people, but must be crushed to release the toxin. Our birds like the berries and the young shoots. We've never had any trouble with it.
 
Dude... My chickens totally ate this stuff today... Are they pretty much going to die or get sick now?
 

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